The Hornady 91340 Critical Defense ammunition delivers consistent expansion and penetration for personal protection scenarios. This 40 S&W load features the patented FTX bullet technology designed to overcome common barriers that cause traditional hollow points to clog and fail to expand.
What Makes This Different
The FTX (Flex Tip eXpanding) bullet eliminates clogging in the hollow point cavity through its polymer tip design. Unlike conventional hollow points that can plug with clothing fibers or drywall, the flex tip initiates expansion on impact regardless of intervening barriers. Independent ballistic testing shows consistent expansion across FBI protocol barriers including heavy clothing, wallboard, and automotive glass.
Key Features
- 165-grain FTX bullet with polymer flex tip prevents hollow point clogging
- Low-flash propellant reduces muzzle flash in low-light situations
- Nickel-plated cases resist corrosion and ensure smooth feeding
- Optimized for short-barrel firearms common in concealed carry
- Consistent 1175 fps muzzle velocity from 4-inch test barrel
- Expansion range of 0.65-0.75 inches through barrier materials
- 20 rounds per box for range testing and carry rotation
Field reports from law enforcement agencies document reliable feeding in Glock, Smith & Wesson M&P, and SIG Sauer platforms. The load performs consistently in temperatures from -20°F to 140°F without pressure variations. Penetration depth averages 12-15 inches in calibrated ballistic gelatin, meeting FBI standards for duty ammunition while maintaining controlled expansion.
Technical Specs
- Caliber: 40 Smith & Wesson
- Bullet Weight: 165 grains
- Bullet Type: FTX (Flex Tip eXpanding)
- Muzzle Velocity: 1175 fps (4-inch barrel)
- Muzzle Energy: 506 ft-lbs
- Case Material: Nickel-plated brass
- Primer: Non-corrosive boxer
- Quantity: 20 rounds per box
- Manufactured: United States
This ammunition represents proven terminal ballistics engineering for serious defensive applications. The combination of barrier-blind expansion and reduced flash signature addresses real-world defensive shooting requirements that standard hollow points cannot reliably meet.